Who could Arsenal give Leicester in part-exchange for Maddison?

James Shearman

Updated: 4 Aug 2021 08:19 CDT
3 min read

James Maddison: Should Manchester United target him again? — © ProShots

Arsenal are willing to offer three players to Leicester City in order to reduce the fee involved in a deal for James Maddison.

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The Gunners have been looking for an attacking midfielder in the transfer market, despite youngster Emile Smith-Rowe signing a new long-term contract last month.

Martin Odegaard, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Emirates, had been linked with a permanent move but not deal has been done with the Norway international.

As such, Arsenal have turned their attentions to Maddison, who reportedly fell out with Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers earlier this year and will be allowed to leave if the right fee arrives.

Leicester are holding out for around £70 million, which the Gunners are unwilling to pay - having already spent £50m on Ben White from Brighton last week.

So, in order to lower the asking price, manager Mikel Arteta is said to be willing to part ways with three young players.

Player plus cash deal

Official: Newcastle sign Joe Willock on loan from Arsenal — © ProShots

Arsenal are prepared to sell Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah this summer, according to Football.London, meaning they could be used to in part-exchange for Maddison.

Willock appears the most intriguing option for Leicester, should they choose to accept a player plus cash deal, given his excellent loan spell at Newcastle last season.

The 21-year-old scored eight Premier League goals in just 11 starts for the Magpies and would be a like-for-like replacement for Maddison.

Meanwhile, both Nelson and Nketiah have struggled to prove themselves in the English top-flight and are unlikely to be of interest to Rodgers' Leicester.

The Foxes have had arguably the best transfer window so far, with the likes of Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumare and Ryan Bertrand arriving at the King Power stadium, and are in no rush to sell a prized asset for a cheap fee.

Additionally, Maddison signed a long-term contract on an estimated £100,000 a week before the last campaign, so he is not in a strong position to force a move.